Medicare contract · plan years 2026 and 2027CMS landscape and crosswalk
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (H5779)
H5779Contract
A company of Centene Corporation, sold as Wellcare
3 plans in 2027 (5 in 2026) · 13,002 members in September 2026
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. is the Centene Corporation company that holds Medicare contract H5779, sold as Wellcare. In 2027 it offers 3 plans (5 in 2026); 1 of its 2026 plans is not offered in 2027. 13,002 people were in its plans in September 2026.
What plans does H5779 offer for 2027?
| Plan | Type | Monthly premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Area | For 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellcare Simple ExclusiveH5779-007 | HMO | $0 | $3,200 | 3 counties | renews |
| Wellcare Simple EssentialH5779-009 | HMO | $0 | $5,500 | 101 counties | takes in other plans |
| Wellcare GivebackH5779-010 | HMO | $0 | $7,800 | 101 counties | renews in more counties |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS plan crosswalk from 2026 to 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026).
Which of its plans end?
| 2026 plan | Members, Sept. 2026 | Counties in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Wellcare Patriot GivebackH5779-011 | 327 | 96 |
Source: CMS plan crosswalk from 2026 to 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026); CMS monthly enrollment by plan and by county, September 2026 (CMS hides counts under 11).
How did CMS rate it for 2026?
The overall rating is 3 of 5 (health plan 3 of 5, drug plan 3.5 of 5). Of its 36 rated measures, the lowest and the highest:
| Lowest-rated measures | Stars |
|---|---|
| Getting Appointments and Care Quickly | 1 |
| Rating of Health Care Quality | 1 |
| Colorectal Cancer Screening | 2 |
| Special Needs Plan (SNP) Care Management | 2 |
| Highest-rated measures | Stars |
|---|---|
| Medication Adherence for Diabetes Medications | 5 |
| Complaints about the Drug Plan | 5 |
| Call Center – Foreign Language Interpreter and TTY Availability | 5 |
| Call Center – Foreign Language Interpreter and TTY Availability | 5 |
Source: CMS Part C and D Star Ratings data tables, 2026 (October 2025).
What else should you check?
- All Wellcare plansEvery contract of the brand
- Star ratings of every contractThe 2026 ratings, and 2027 when CMS publishes them
- Find a plan by its IDFrom the card or a letter